Full Breakdown
Queensland Doctors Urge Ban on Under-16s Riding E-Bikes and Scooters
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 21, 2026, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland, the state’s peak doctors’ body, called for a total prohibition on children under 16 riding electric bicycles and scooters. The request follows a recent regulatory framework that permits riders aged 12-17 to use compliant e-mobility devices only under adult supervision.
Background & Context
Queensland’s e-mobility rules took effect on July 1, allowing supervised use by youths aged 12-17. The legislation was introduced after a series of injuries involving children on electric bikes and scooters. Since the rule change, the Queensland Children’s Hospital has tracked admissions related to these devices.
Data & Statistics
Hospital data show a sharp decline in serious incidents: seven children were admitted for more than 24 hours between July and September 2026, compared with 18 admissions in January-March and 16 in April-June of the same year. AMA Queensland also noted that more than 45 percent of e-mobility devices owned in the state were purchased since 2023, whereas only 9 percent were bought before 2020.
Official Statements & Responses
Professor Roy Kimble, director of paediatric surgery, burns and trauma at Queensland Children’s Hospital, attributed the reduced admissions to the recent regulatory crackdown, describing the trend as a “rapid decline.” AMA Queensland president Erica Gannon argued that the only safe approach is to restrict children to non-motorised devices, emphasizing that injuries from electric e-mobility are “incredibly traumatic” and have extensive effects on families and health professionals. Gannon also highlighted that the physical effort required for conventional bicycles influences rider behaviour differently than electric devices, affecting interactions with traffic and footpaths.
Potential Impact
If the proposed ban is adopted, it would tighten current supervision requirements and could further reduce paediatric injuries linked to e-mobility. The move would also affect the market for electric bikes and scooters, given the recent surge in purchases, and would place additional responsibility on parents and caregivers to enforce age-based restrictions.